math help

What is 48/30 + 7/11?

What is 48/30 + 7/11?

Here's how you add

48
30
+
7
11

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 48 by 11, and get 528, then we multiply 30 by 11 and get 330.

48/30 times 11

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 7 by 30, and get 210, then multiply 30 by 11 and get 330.

7/11 times 30

So now our fractions look like this:

528
330
+
210
330

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

528 + 210 = 738

So the answer is:

738
330

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

738
330
÷ 2 =
369
165

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

369
165
÷ 3 =
123
55

Let's try dividing by that again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 53...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 59...

No good. 59 is larger than 55. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! Here's the final answer to 48/30 + 7/11

48
30
+
7
11
=
123
55
© 2014 Randy Tayler